Shock absorber



A March 26, 1935. E. F; RossMAN ET AL' SHOCK ABsoRBER 2 Sheets-Sheen"I 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1933 -y l l INVENTORS' i EDWIN F'. ROSSMAN Age CARL HKINDL ArroRNEYs Marh 26, 1935 'l A' E. F. RossMAN ET AL 1,995,901

SHOCK 'ABSORBER INVENTORS MM@ Md ATTORNEYS lsatented Mar. 26, 1935 s 'l PATENTorFiCE Y' Edwinr. Rossman anacarl n. Kinal, Dayton,

Ohio, assignors, bymesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Applicationy January 1s, 1933, 'serial' No. 651,918A

2s claims. (C1. 18s-88) f 'I'his invention relates to improvements in hydraulic shock absorbers adapted to control the relative movements of the frame and axles ofv a vehicle.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an hydraulic shock absorber capable of adjusting itself automatically inaccordancewith the nature of the road-bed over which the vehicle is being operated whereby said vshock absorber will properly resist relativemovements between the body and axles of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide the shock absorber with adjusting mechanism responsive only to -accelerative movements of the vehicle body. l

A still vfurther object of the present invention is to have the shock absorber adjust itself only in response to accelerative movements upwardly of the vehicle. body.

invention will be apparent from the vfollowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein `a preferred embodiment of one form ofthe present invention is clearly shown.

While the vehicleA is being operated over a comparatively smooth roadway such Vas a boulevard,

slight movements of the body and axles obtain and thus the shock absorber should offery a. minimum resistance to body and axlemovements. Under these conditions the vehicle springs should provide adequate cushioning means. However,

' when a vehicle wheel strikes an elevationor sudden obstruction in the roadway it will be thrust upwardly toward the body which, however, due to its Weight and inertia, will not corresponding- 1y move upwardly. Failure ofthe bodyl to `move vupwardly results in the compressionof thevelhicle spring beyond its normal load position, said increased spring pressure in turn reacting to v move the body upwardly with an accelerative ve locity until the spring reaches its normal load position relative to the frame.` vThe inertiaof the body will, however, .cause itsy continued'move-A ment upwardly beyond the ypoint at which` the spring reaches its normal load position;

'I'his upward movement ofthe vehicle axle is properly controlled .by fluid flow control devices provided at the spring compression' c ontrol end of the shock absorber. The-separating `movement of the axle and body whichoceurs rwhen the spring has 'ceased'to urgethe body upwardly andthe body however continues on its upward movement, is controlled by the spring rebound control end of the shock' absorber where the Further objects and advantages of the present automatic adjusting mechanism is providedx; 'Ihis mechanism is rendered effective by accel-l erations in the velocity of body movements upwardlywhereby the fluid flow is controlled to-increase the effective resistance ofthe rshock absorber to such body movements. The mech-` anism is, however, ineffective to increase-shockv absorber resistance while the body is moving upwardly at a constant velocity. f l ,f f v The control mechanism inthe present'inven- 10 tion is shown comprising a valve operated by,anf.' inertia mass which. in turnv is held in properly balanced position by a spring. The' forces pro-y duced by the vehicle spring, .tending to accelerate body 'movements act directly upon the inertiar 1'5 mass and its valve to adjust the shock absorber-:- whereby its resistance. to'changes in the'velocity of body movements is substantially increased.

In the drawings:-` Fig.A 1 is a fragmentary side view of the vehicle 20 chassis, a shock absorber equipped with the present `invention being "shown appliedthereto. The

I road Wheels of the vehicle are not shown.

Fig. `2 illustrates the shock absorber in side elevation, a. portion thereof being shown'in sec- 25 tion for purposes of illustrating the automatic control device thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view `taken through the ,l cylinder of thelshock absorber substantially along the line 3`3 of Fig.' 2:

Fig. 4isa planview of theshock absorber.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modif-led form of inertia valve. y

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates the frame of the vehicle upon whichthe 35 journalled transversely of the shock absorber 45K f casing, one end of said shaft extending outside the shock absorber and having the operating varm 30 provided thereon', the free end of which is swivelly secured tol one end of a link 31. The

other end of this link is secured to a member 32 50 V which Yis clamped to the axley 21 by'a member 33. l Within the shock absorber, shaft29 has 'an oper- 'ating lever 34, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, at-

tached thereto so that itwill be oscillatable with the shaft 29 in response. to relative movements bef- 55 tween the frame 20 and the axle.21 of theY vehicle.

It will be seen that as the frame and axle 20 and 21 respectively move toward each other the linkv connection 31 rwill tend to rotate .arm 30 clockwise, resulting in a clockwisefrotation of shaft 29 and a movement of lever 34 toward the.- le'ft as regards Figs. 2 and 3. On the other hand, when members 20 and 21 of the vehicle move away from each other, a counter-clockwise ifo-,

tation of shaft 29 will obtain, resulting in a movement of the lever 34 thereon" toward the right as regards Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring particularlyto prising head portions 41 and 4 2 secured together by bolts 43 and 44. Under the heads of each are located springs 45 and 46 respectively which tend to lurge the piston head portions toward each other. The adjacent ends of the piston head portions are recessed to receivethe fr'ee end ofthe lever i 34 which directly engages wear-pieces 47'v secured to the respective piston heads 41 and 42. `The pisi ton head 41 formsthe spring compression control chamber at one end of the cylinder, and the pistonhead portion 42 forms the spring rebound control chamber k51 at the opposite end of the cylinder.v These chambers 50-and 5l are in communication with the intermediate-chambers Vor reservoir 26 through ductsor'passagesin rthe re- -spective'piston head portions. The fluid `flow through `each oi?A these ducts is controlled by va valve mechanism provided on each piston head portion, and inasmuch as vboth valve mechanisms are identical, onlyV one will be described detailedly.` 4

In the'passage 52 ofthe piston head portion 41 (which passage connects chamber 50 with reservoir26) there is provided an lannular ridge 53 forming a valve seat for the intakevalve 54 which is urged upon said seat yby a spring 55. Thisv spring is interposed between the valve'.54.and abutment ring v56 fitting into an inner annular groove in the "annular'wall of thev passage 52. Valve 54 has a tubular body portion in .which the :stem 57 of the pressure release valveisslidably supported. The portion of the stem'57 extending intoA the port within the Seat 53 has a disc- -head 58 secured thereto, said headhaving an ani nular flange `provided with a sharp edge 59 adapted to seat upon the inner vsurface of thelvalve 54 to close Va'jpassage 60 formed by a longitudinal groove in the stem 57. At the end of the stern 57 opposite the head 58 an abutment collar 61 is anchored, *against` which one end of a spring 62 rests, the opposite. end of this spring `engaging valve 54 so that valve head 58 is yieldably urge against the valve 54 by this spring 62.

This compound valve mechanism functions in the following manner: In response to the move-` ment of the piston head portion 41 Aaway from the cylinder head 28 forming chamber 50, fluid from ,the reservoir will flow through the passage in pistonhead 41, movevalve 54 against the effect of its comparatively light springl55 to establish a substantially free ow of fluid pastthish valve into chamber 50. Inl response tol a reverse move- -ment of the piston 41 or, toward the cylinder head 28 forming chamber 50, pressure will be exerted upon the fluid within, said chamber, and valve-54 wlllbe urged upon its seat 53, while said vfluid. pressure, when attaining a propervalue, will moveV valve stem 57 and its head 58 against the eifectof spring 62 so that the annular edge of the i head 58 is moved away from valve 54 to establish a flow through the passage 60 into the reservoir,

Fig. V3, the cylinderl 'has a piston 40 provided therein, said piston comthis fluid being restricted, however, proportionately to ythe pressure within chamber v50. For

purposes oi' later description of the entire shock absorber, the intake valve for the rebound control chamberV 51 is. designated by the numeral '10,`

the pressure-release valve byy the numeral 71.

In the casing there is provided a control chamber 80, 'having aninteriorlythreaded passage 81 leading therefrom substantially centrally thereof,

into a duct or passage 82,. which may be termed the static-valve chamber.

cessed plug 84,/properly gasketed to prevent leaks.

'A passage 485 connects chamber 82 with the spring rebound control chamber-51, land inasmuch as passage y :is of lesser diameter'than the chamberr82, a shoulder 86 is formed to, provide a seat for the flange of the static-valve` 87. 'I'his st aticvalve 87 `is urged upon the seat 86 byspring88. This valve l87` is so constructed 'and arranged This chamber is clearly lshown in Fig. 2. One'end of this chamber 82 vis interiorly threaded as at 83 to receive' a rethat it will permit no iluid'ftov flow fromv chamber 82 into the rebound control chamber 51. yet.

at a predetermined tluid `pressure within chamber'.`

51, in response to the movementof piston head against the Veil'ect of itsspring 88 to establish a 25 :porti/on 42 toward the cylinder head portion 28" .forming chamber 51, this valve 87 will vbe moved restricted now through'the passage 85 into .the

valve chamber 82 and consequently into the passage 81 which leads .to the control chamber 80.

Referring now to .the Fig. `2, e 81 is shown l to have one endof a plug or standpipe 90 threaded into it, tlns plug having a central passage 91` exY'-,

tendingv from the end of -plug 90 in thevpassage 81 to withina `short distance lof they upper end of said plug. In the .outer peripheral surface of the plug 90 and adjacent the inner end` of its central. passage l91 there is provided ank annular grooove 92 which is `incomnlunication withthe inner central passage 91 through cross passages 93. A screw 94 is threadedly received by the upper, outer endof plugj90, this screw clamping. a cover plate 95 upon the housing to vprovide-a sealed cap for the chamber 80. A' sleeve-valve -96 is slidably cari-ledy upon the plug90, the lower vend of this sleeve-valve having a recess 97k in one, I side of v'its interior annulartwall, which recess,

when vvalve 96 is inits normal position, is in constant communication with the annular groove92 in-the plug .90.'

kThe provision'of the recess 9.7 .the inner,

annular wall of the valve 96 and especiallyuon ,one side; thereof, provides an unbalanced.Y valve which will, in responsev tofiuid pressure, tend to stick under 'certa-inl conditions. The valve 96 fitting slidably upon plug 90 may be movedidownwardlyupon said-plug and against `the effect of 97, when aligning with the lower edge'of` the annular groove 92 in the plug, iwill' close .said groove and substantially stop fluid ilow therefrom.` The 'words substantially stop?" have been nt between valve 96 and plug 90 will not provide an absolute seal, but still the amount of fluid ilow through this leakv is practically negligible. Since theilowrestricting surface provided by the spring 101 sothatthe upper edge ofthe recessi :,used, for itnmay clearly be seen that the sliding annular wallofthe `4-valve diametrically oppositey the recess 97 isconsiderably longer than the flow restricting surface immediately adjacent saldrecess, the fluid pressure beingy exerted through passages 9 3 into groove,92 will be more highly restricted at the longer surface than at `the shorter surface adjacent the recess, thus the valve Yau will bey urged toward the Aside opposite said recess.y

This 'urging of the 'valve tofonefside will tend `will return the valve 9.6 to its normal position.

Sleeve-valve 96 hasv a bracket 98 secured thereto, said bracket providing an anchor for the inertia mass control element or weight,100. This'we'ight is held in properly balanced 'position by a spring 101 which rests upon a c'ollar 1 02 seated ,upon an abutment plate 103 carried by the plug 90. The

other end of the spring engages bracket 98. i This spring' is so designed' that it will normally maintain theA inertia mass rcontrol element or vweight 100 in proper balanced position-in which positionv the valve 96,`attached thereto,ohas its ,'side `opening 97 in communication with the annular groove 92 in plug 90, ashas been mentioned heretofore. `A comparatively heavy spring 106j is interposed between the bracket 98 and the cover plate 95'to prevent upward-movement vof the weight -100.in response to an accelerative movement of the casing downwardly substantiallly `in the direction of the axis of plug 90. A 'passage on duct 110 leads from the chamber 80 tothe reservoir 26,as is clearly shown in Fig'. 2.

The device operatesto control body and laxle movements in the following manner:`

When a roadwheel of theivehicle strikes a raise Oran obstruction in the highway, it is thrust upwardly toward the frame, thereby compressing its vehicle spring 22 beyond the normal loadposition. 'Movement of the axle'21 toward the frame 20 will,r as has been mentioned heretofore` result in a'movement of the piston 40 toward the left as regards Figs. 1, 2 and 3 ,and lthus pressure ywill be exerted upon the fluid within` the spring compressionoontrol' chamber50. 'Ihe pressure in chamber 50,when sullicient, will urge valve head 58 4from its seat upon valve y54 to establish Aa rstricted flow of fluid from chamber 50 through lthe piston passage 52 into: the reservoir 26, this restricted fluid flow resisting the movement of piston 4 0 toward'the left and consequently resisting the compression movementofjthe spring 22. If the compression of spring 22 has been'slight, the loading of the springh22- will not be sufficient to thrust the body-carrying frame upwardly at a sufficiently accelerated rate and consequently the inertia weight valve will remain vinrits normal, in-

electiver position. As the spring"22 returns toits I 97 in 'sleeve-valve 96 into the chamber 80 from' where the uid will return to' thefreseryoirw26 through the duct 110. f

If the spring 22 has'be'en compressedbeyond its normal load position, it Willtend to throwthc l body-carrying frame 20 upwardly at an accelerated rate and consequently the inertia mass or lweight 100,1tendin`g -to' remain immovable, will cause its sleeve-valvel 96 to move `relativelytothe lplug 90, said plug moving'upwar'dly with thev casing 25 ofthe shock absorber-in responseto the1 upward thrust ofthe lframe 20. Upwardjmove'- ment of the frame 20 relatively to the axle 22 results in a separating movementbetween thesetwo -members anducons'cquenltly the piston` 40 is moved toward the ,right toeirert pressure upon vthefluid in the reboundcontrol chamber 5 1 In response to this pressure inchamber 5l, valve 8 7 will be moved from itsjseat tor establish a flow into the chamber 82 and passages 81 kancl91.` ,Howeven as has been described heretofore, sleeve-valve96 has movedrelatively to plug in response tofthe acceleration inl the velocity-` of body movement, l andconsequently sleeve-valve 96 has closed the annular groove 92 so `as to preventfluid owjfr'om passage 91 into chamber 80.' Now, only'the' pregssure release valvel 71 is available to relieve the pressure withinthe lchamber 51, and thus inresponse to pressure, valve 7l Awill be moved from engagement with its seat onvalve 70 to establish a restricted flow 'fromchamber 51 into the reservoir 26. It will of course be understood that the spring which urges 'valve 71 upon itsseat is om- I- parativelystiffer than spring 88 of valve [87 and consequently the restriction to the flow. lof fluid past valve 'l1V will be 'comparatively greater, thereby causing the shock absorber to vprovide a maximum resistancer against the reboundingmovement'of the vehicleat this accelerated rate.

` During the upward,y accelerative movement of the vehicle bodythis maximum resistanceby the shock absorber vwill substantially be vmaintained V due to the unbalanced effect'ofvalve- 96 as has been described heretofore; -If valve 96 were balanced, then spring 101i would return valve '96 to normal position as soon-'as upward accelerations of the car body movement were reduced to' a predetermined value. However, with the unbalanced valve, the restriction to fluid flow is maintained substantially during the entire upward car l -body movement after accelerations. have once moved the valve into restricting position and as long as pressure is maintained within plug 90. ii-0f course-as soon as piston-40 is movedto exert` pressure upon the fluid in chamber 50,'fluid pressure in chamber 51 is eliminatedand consequently valve 96 would then be returned to its normal position. by spring 101.

` Theautomatic adjusting mechanism'is ,so arranged that only'accelerations yin* the upward movement of the vehicle body are elective toincrease shock absorber resistance. Downward movements will not cause `a movementof the inertia weight 100due to the provision of the heavy spri`ng106.-VEven though-weight 100 did move from `crosspassages 93 and thus no increase in -restrictionrto theuidflow would result. 1 It will of cours'ebe understood that the valve '87, may be provided with a spring 88 to furnish any vdegree of initial restriction tothe fluid ow from-chamber 51, yet valve 87 should in all cases offer less' resistance to'uid flow from chamber vv51 than the valve 71 in the piston, for valve 71 Ais intendedto provide fluid flow control onlyv in case the sleeve valve 96 closesoannulargroove 92, or in case valve 87 cannot properly relieve` the uid pressure within thev chamber 51.

InFig. 5 a modified forni of valve a recess 97 in its'one side, an interior ann'ular `'groove 197 isprovided. o Thuswhen the valve is movedl downwardly to close groove 92 in plug 90,-

equal areas and equally long restricting or- ,cut-

`oft` surfaces arepresented to .be acted uponby 96 shown. I Herethe valve is balanced forinstead of having o0 in respnseto downward accelerativemovements ofthe carbody, no shutting off of the `fluid stream M y Y y t have been reduced to 'a predetermined degree. Y

car body lmovemen From the aforegoing it may be seen that appli-` cant has provided 'al 4shock absorber which is vadapted properly'V to resistv approachingmovement between the-frame and axle `olf the vehicle ,and `also separating movements thereof.` In the present invention the separating movements of these two elements oi'- the vehicleare controlled 1,

in accordance'with thefnature of the road over which the vehicle is vbeing operated. that ison even roads where the body movements are Vsubstantially.` constantgless resistance is offered by the shock absorber and the vehicle springs are 'dependent upon the control o1' such movements. l However, rin response to* accelerated movement i forms might be adopted,all-coming -within the 'scope oi' theclaimswhichiollow.

What is claimed islas' follows;y

'n 1`. An hydraulic shock absorberk comprising a vcasing .providing a cylinder in which a,piston forms a compression chamber;` two ports leading from said chamber; a valve for each port adaptedto be actuated by iluid pressure to permita ow of iluid through each4 port; and inertia. weight actuated means 'for' closing one o1' said ports `and rendering the valve therein complete- -lyimmovable by fluid pressure in response to accelerative movements of the casing.

2. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a casing providing a^ cylinder in which a piston forms a compression chamber; two ports leading ,from said chamber; a check valve normally closing each port andadapted. in response to uid pressure, to establish a flow ot fluid through its respective port;,and meansk including an inertia mass and a control valve, adapted to discontinueA the ow established by one ofthe check Vforms a compression from said chamber; a pressure release 'valvev in n port having the'lower -vice for each of substantially free valves, in response-to accelerative movements of the easing in one direction only;

3; An hydraulic shock` absorber comprising a casing Aproviding `a cylinder in 'which 'a piston chamber; two por-tsleading each port,A adapted in responseto predetermined fluid pressures in the respective ports to estabflish iluid `flows therethrough, one dfsaid valves `operating at a vlower uidfpressure than the other; kand means .adapted to be actuated by an inertlamass in response to vertical acceleratlonsof the casing, to discontinue the ow through the pressure valve, `thereby to render said valve completely immovable by fluid pressure.

ing from said chamber; a uid flow control desaid ports, the one being a compound valvemechanismadapted to establish a into the chamber vas the piston moves in one direction and a restricted flow of uid from the chamberl through thedport as the piston moves inthe opposite direction, the device for the other port :being adapted only toestablish a restricted ilow o! iuid through the port.

now or nuidfrom `the 'chamber' in response to s comparatively'lower iluid pressure inksald chamber than the other valve; andan linertia mass controlled valve `for *controlling the now established by the low pressure valve, in response Ato accelerativel movements of the casing.

5.' Any hydraulic, shock absorber comprisinga casing providing a cylinderin which a piston i'ormsa compression chamber; two ports leading i'rom said chamber; a :iuid now control de; 1 vice for each of said ports, the one being a compound valve mechanismadapted to establish a substantially` free flow 4olf iluid through the port into vthe chamber as thepiston moves in one direction and a restricted ow o1 fluid from Athe chamber through the port as the piston movesv in the opposite direction; the device for the other port being adaptedonly tor establish. a restricted flow of tluid from the chamberfin response to a' comparatively lower fluid .pressure in said chamber than the other valve; and anginertia mass controlled valve` for, completely shutting oil `the vflow established byf the low'pressure rvalve, in

response to accelerativemovementsoif the casing inv gne direction iomy. y 6. An hydraulic shock absorberr for controlling the relative movements between the frameand axles ot a vehicle, comprising in combination, a

casing attachable ,towth'e frame of the vehicle and providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinderin the latter of which a piston forms a compression chamber; two separate ducts providing. communication" between the reservoirL and 'compression chamber; a fluid flow control device' in ,the

one duct adapted, lin response toa predetermined high iiuid pressurewithin the chamber, to establish a ilow of uid therefrom through its respective'duct; and two uidilow control devices in the other duct, one `for establishing a flow of uid from thechamber through ,theV duct inresponse to a comparativelyv lower fluid pressurein said chamber, ythe otherto discontinue the flow through4 the d uct in'response toaccelerative movements ,of

.to which the casingv is attached. ,Y

' 7. Anhydraulic shock absorber for controlling the relativeV movements between thefram'e and axlesjof a vehicle, `comprising in combinatlona casing attachable to the frame of the vehiclejand providing a uidreservoiranda cylinder in the latter of which a piston forms Aa compression chamber; l two separate ducts providing communication between the `reservoir and compression jchamber; a lluid flow control device in the one duct adapted in responseto av predetermined high fluid pressure within thechamb'er to establish a ow. of. 'uid r,therefrom through its respective duct; 1` and `two iluid flow control devices in the other duct, i one normallyvl/ closed', v vthe `other normallyl open; the one, adapted lnresponseto a comparatively lower kiluid 'pressuretoopen'` and establlsha restricted flow from the chamberinto l A e the reservoir, 'theother 4..Airhydraulic shock absorber comprising a` casing providing a cylinder in which afpiston forms a compression chamber; twovports lead-` y being adapted to close and rdiscontinue this owiln response tov accelerativemovementsioi' th vehicle iranieln one' direction. y, l s

Y 8. Anhydraulic shockgabsorber comprising; la casing providing a `reservoir and a cylinder in the latter of which afpistoni'orms a'compression chamber; a duct inthe p ton vand a duct in'the the frame of, the vehicle l:

into the reservoir; and an inertia mass controlled valve for shutting oil the flow established' by the valve in the casing duct, in response to accelerative movements of the casing.

9. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder forming a compression chamber therein; ducts in the piston and casing connecting the reservoir and compression chamber; a fluid flow control device normally closing each duct and adapted in response to fluid pressure to establish restricted flows of fluid from the compression chamber into the reservoir; and means including an inertia mass, adapted, in response to accelerative movements of the casing in one direction, completely to close one of said ducts to render the fluid flow control device therein ineffective to continue its fluid flow in response to fluid pressure.

10. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder forming a compression chamber therein; ducts in the piston and casing connecting the reservoir and compression chamber; a fluid ow control device normally closing each duct and adapted inresponse to fluid pressure to establish restricted flows of fluid from the compression chamber into the reservoir, one `of said devices establishing its fluid flow at a comparatively lower fluid pressure than the other; and means including an inertia mass, adapted, in response to accelerative movements of the casing in one direction, to close the duct having the lower pressure valve, whereby said valve is rendered immovable by fluid pressure.

11. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder; a pistonin said cylinder forming a compression chamber therein; ducts in the piston and casing connecting the reservoir and compression chamber; a fluid flow control device normally closing each duct and adapted in response to fluid pressure to establish restricted flows of fluid from the compression chamber into the reservoir, the device closing the duct in the casing being adapted to establishits fluid at a comparatively lower fluid pressure thanthe device which closes the piston duct; and means including an inertia control mass adapted, in response to accelerative movements of the casing in one direction, to render the fluid flow control device in the casing immovable by fluid pressure by completely shutting off the duct containing said device.

12. An hydraulic shock absorber for controlling the approaching and separating movements of the frame and axles of a vehicle, comprising in combination, a casing adapted to be attached to the vehicle frame and providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to a Vehicle axle and forming a compression chamber at each end thereof; ducts in the piston connecting each compression chamber with the reservoir; a compound fluid flow control mechanism in each piston duct consisting of two valves, one of which is adapted to establish a substantially free flow of fluid from the reservoir into the respective compression chamber as the piston moves in one direction and the other of which is adapted to establish a restrictedflow of fluid from the respective compression chamber in response to the movement of the piston in the opposite direction; a duct in the casing connecting one compression chamber with the reservoir; a valve normally closing said duct` but responsive to fluid pressure in said chamber to establish a restricted flow of fluid therefrom; and an inertia mass controlled valve adapted to shut` off said restricted flow in response to accelerative movements of the vehicle frame in one direction.

13. An hydraulic shock absorber for controlling the approaching and separating movements of the frame and axles of a vehicle, comprising in combination, a casing adapted to be attached to the vehicle frame `and providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to a vehicle axle and forming a compression chamber at each end thereof; ducts in 'the piston connecting each compression chamber with the reservoir; a compound fluid flow control mechanism in each piston duct consisting of two valves, one of' which is adapted toestablish a substantially free flow of fluid from the reservoir into the respective compressionchamber as the piston moves in one directionand the other of which is adapted to establish a'restricted flow of fluid from the respective compression chamber in response to the movement of the piston in the opposite direction; a duct in the casing connecting the reservoir and the compression chamber in which pressure is exerted` upon the fluid during separating movements of the vehicle frame and axles; a valve normally closing said duct, but adapted to establish `a restricted flow of fluid from said chamber in response to fluid pressure therein; and an inertia mass controlled valve adapted to close the duct and shut off said flow in response to vertical accelerative movements of the vehicle frame upwardly.

14. An hydraulic shock absorber for controlling the approaching and separating movements of a vehicle frame and axles comprising, a casing attached to the vehicle frame and providing a fluid reservoir and cylinder; a piston, operatively connected to a vehicle axle, and forming two compression chambers within the cylinder, said piston having valved ducts for establishing controlledfluid flows between the respective compression chambers and the reservoir; a control chamber in the casing in communicationvwith both the reservoir and the compression chamber for controlling the separating movement" of the vehicle frame and axle; a pressure release valve between said control chambery and compression chamber adapted, in response to a predetermined fluid pressure in the latter, to establish a flow of fluid therefrom into the control chamber; and an inertia mass controlled valve in said control chamber, adapted, in response to vertical accelerative movements of the vehicle frame upwardly, to shut off the flow of fluid into the control chamber.

15. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising, a casing providing a cylinder having a piston which forms a compression chamber therein; two ports leading from said chamber; a pressure release valve for each port; a normally open, unbalanced valve adapted to have the fluid flow established by one of the pressure release valves, flow through it; and an inertia mass adapted to close said unbalanced valve in response to accelerative movements of the casing in one direction.

16. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising, a casing providing a cylinder having a piston which forms a compression chamber therein; two ports leading from said chamber; a pressure release valve for each port, one of said valves operating at a lower fluid pressure than the other; a normally open, unbalanced valve adapted to receive and pass the fluid flow established by the lower pressure release valve; and an inertia weight connected yto said unbalanced valve for closing it in response to accelerations in the movement of the casing in one direction.

1'7. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising,

, a casing providing a cylinder having a piston which forms a compression chamber therein; two ports leading from said chamber; a pressurerelease valve for each port; and means comprising an inertia mass controlled, unbalanced valve for shutting off the :ow of fluid established by one of said pressure release valves, as the movements h of the casing in one direction are accelerated beyond a predetermined velocity, the fluid pressure upon the unbalanced valve holding said valve in closed position while pressure is maintained against it.; y

18. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising, a casing providing a cylinder having a piston which forms a compression chamber therein; two ports leading from said chamber; a pressure release valve for each port, one of said valves operating at a lower fluid pressure than the other; and means comprising an inertia mass and a control valve having a greater fluid flow restricting surface on its one, side than on its other, for shutting 01T the fluid flow established by the lower pressure release valve, as the movement of the casing in one direction is accelerated beyond a predetermined velocity, the fluid pressure upon said control valve holding said valve in shut`position While saidmovements of the casing continue.

19. An hydraulic shock absorber having a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder in which a piston forms a displacement chamber;

an outlet duct connecting said chamberwith the reservoir; and means in said duct for controlling the flow of fluid through it, said means comprising a member yieldably urged to close the duct, but adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure to open said duct, andan inertia mass controlled member adapted to be actuated to close said duct in response to accelerations in the upward movement of the shock absorber.

normally to close the duct but adapted to be actuated by iluid pressure to open said duct, the other valve being adapted to be actuated in response to accelerations in the upward movement ofthe shock absorber, to close said duct completely.

21. An hydraulic shock absorber having a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder in which a piston forms a displacement chamber; Aan outlet duct connecting said chamber with the reservoir; and means in said duct for controlling the ow of fluid through it, said means comprising a pressure release valve yieldably urged normally to close the duct and an inertia mass controlled valve adapted, in response to accelerations in the upward movement of the shock absorber, to render said pressure release valve ineffective by completely closing the duct.

22. An hydraulic shock absorber having a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder in.

which a piston forms a displacement chamber; a control chamber in communication with the reservoir; an outlet port for the displacement chamber; a standpipe extending from the port into the control chamber; a spring-loaded valve normally closing the port but adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure within the displacement chamber to open communication between said chamber and the control chamber through the standpipe; and an inertia mass actuated valve on the standpipe, within the control chamber, for closing the standpipe to shut off its discharge into said control chamber.

23. An hydraulic shock absorber having a casing providing a fluid reservoir and a cylinder in which a piston forms a displacement chamber; a control chamber in communication with the reservoir and displacement chamber; means for introducing fluid into the displacement chamber in response to movement of the piston in one direction; a spring-loaded valve normally shutting off communication between the displacement and control chambers but adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure in the displacement chamber to establish a restricted flow of uidvfrom the displacement chamber into the control chamber in response to movement of the piston in the other direction; and an inertia mass controlled valve inthe control chamber for shutting off cornmunication between the displacement and control chambers in response to accelerations in the movement of' the shock absorber casing upwardly.

EDWIN F. ROSSMAN.

CARL H. KINDL. 

